Educators put together book of encouraging words for Michelle Obama

Book offers advice and encouragement to first lady

Two upstate New York women think Michelle Obama could use some advice.

That's why they have compiled a book of letters from about 100 women offering encouragement and wisdom to the woman who moves into the White House next week.

Barbara Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram, educators at University at Buffalo, State University of New York, solicited letters of advice and compiled the best in "Go, Tell Michelle: African-American Women Write to the New First Lady," scheduled to hit stores this week.

Their objective was not just to offer soothing words, but to dispel the stereotype of "the angry black woman," said the co-editors. Their inspiration: The New Yorkercover portraying the Obamas as fist-bumping militants.

"That was the spark, but the idea had been growing for a while," explained Nevergold, 64. "We knew that Michelle would be held to a higher level of scrutiny than previous first ladies."

The two are co-founders of the Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on Women, housed on the campus, so the infrastructure for soliciting letters was in place through a Web site honoring black women.

"We already had some credibility, because they've already entrusted us with their biographies ... and know they'll be treated with dignity," said co-editor Brooks-Bertram, 65.

Some 200 letters poured in, from California to Cameroon, Kentucky to Kenya. They selected 100.

Correspondents urged the first lady to persevere, to ignore critics and stay close to her roots.

"Remember your ancestors are always with you ... to be your guide and your strength," wrote Debra M. Johnson of Buffalo.

Some conveyed prayers, requests ("Please ... bridge the gap between working and stay-at-home mothers") and one Mississippi contributor, Shirley James Hanshaw, sent her recipe for pecan pie. The secret ingredient? Bourbon.

The co-editors and SUNY Press worked hard to get the book published before Inauguration Day, taking inspiration from contributors such as Amanda Williams, who like Michelle Obama grew up on the South Side.

"So as you begin your tenure as my first, First Lady, go freely and without burden or expectation," she wrote. "You can do no wrong ..."